Gaming and Leisure could pay $42/share for Pinnacle, says JPMorganJPMorgan believes Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI) could raise its offer for Pinnacle Entertainment (PNK) to $42 per share from the current $35.77 consideration. It thinks the offer at $42 would make financial sense for both companies. JPMorgan raised its price target for Gaming and Leisure to $40 from $36 and for Pinnacle to $42 from $36. It keeps Overweight ratings on both names.

Wynn Resorts downgraded to Outperform from Buy at CLSACLSA downgraded Wynn Resorts to Outperform and lowered its price target to $140 from $264 as part of Macau sector downgrade to reflect disappointing run rates year-to-date and expectations for more negative newsflow. See sector note for further information.

MGM Resorts downgraded to Outperform from Buy at CLSACLSA downgraded MGM Resorts to Outperform and lowered its price target to $25 from $29 as part of Macau sector downgrade to reflect disappointing run rates year-to-date and expectations for more negative newsflow. See sector note for further information.

Macau sector downgraded at CLSACLSA downgraded the Macau sector given disappointing run rates year-to-date and expectations for more negative newsflow. The firm said the anti-corruption campaign continues to pressure VIP and premium mass customer visits. CLSA now expects 2015 EBITDA growth of -26%, lowered its view of VIP growth to -32% from -14%, reduced mass growth to -17% from -2%, and now expects new Cotai projects ROIC to average only +18, down from +35% previously. As part of the sector view change, the firm downgraded Las Vegas Sands (LVS), MGM Resorts (MGM), and Wynn Resorts (WYNN) to Outperform from Buy.

Caesar's says disputes raise 'substantial doubt' about 'going concern' statusCaesar's stated in a regulatory filing after the close Monday that the company is subject to currently pending or threatened litigation and demands for payment by certain creditors asserting CEC is obligated under the former parent guarantee of certain CEOC defaulted debt. The litigation pending against CEOC, and in certain cases against CEC and its other subsidiaries, have been stayed due to the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, however, certain litigation and the demands against CEC are continuing outside of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. "We believe that the Litigation claims and Demands against CEC are without merit and intend to defend ourselves vigorously. At the present time, we believe it is not probable that a material loss will result from the outcome of these matters," Caesar's stated. The noteholder disputes are in their very preliminary stages and discovery has begun on the unsecured note lawsuits, the company noted. "Should these matters ultimately be resolved through litigation outside of the CEOC Financial Restructuring, and were a court to find in favor of the claimants in any of these Noteholder Disputes, such determination could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Accordingly, we have concluded that the material uncertainty related to certain of the Litigation proceeding against CEC raises substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern," Caesar's added.

MGM Resorts trades sharply higher as activist suggests REIT conversionLand and Buildings laid out a proposal to unlock value in the shares by pursuing a REIT conversion at MGM Resorts. At the current price of $21.36, the stock is up over 8.6%. Resistance initially is at the session high at $21.50, and then at $21.76. Support is at the 50-day moving average at $20.73.